Seismic attribute integration and neural network analysis for quantitative reservoir characterization: A case study from the Offshore Nile Delta (Egypt)

Abstract

Accurate reservoir characterization is essential for optimizing hydrocarbon exploration and production, particularly in complex deep-water environments. The Simsat Field, Offshore Nile Delta, features a Pliocene deep-water turbidite reservoir, primarily composed of interbedded sand channels and shale, which poses significant challenges for reservoir delineation due to lateral lithological variations, limited well control, and complex stratigraphic architecture. Traditional seismic interpretation methods often struggle to capture the heterogeneity and connectivity of these reservoirs, leading to uncertainties in hydrocarbon prospect evaluation. To address these challenges, this study integrates seismic attributes, post-stack seismic inversion, and a multi-layer feed-forward neural network (MLFN) to enhance quantitative reservoir characterization. This integrated approach outperforms the limitations of individual techniques by combining the spatial resolution of seismic attributes, the lithology-fluid sensitivity of inversion, and the non-linear predictive capabilities of machine learning. The workflow provides a synergistic solution that improves property prediction accuracy and reduces interpretation uncertainty, particularly in data-limited, structurally complex settings. Spectral decomposition improves the visualization of channel morphology and stratigraphic variations, while seismic inversion generates acoustic impedance volumes that aid in lithology differentiation and fluid detection. The MLFN model, trained using well log data and multiple seismic attributes, provides high-accuracy predictions of shale volume (Vsh), porosity, and water saturation, significantly improving the assessment of reservoir quality. The results confirm a well-defined gas-bearing sandstone reservoir with high porosity (>18%) and low water saturation, indicating strong hydrocarbon potential. This integrated approach demonstrates the effectiveness of combining advanced seismic interpretation with machine learning techniques to reduce interpretation uncertainties, improve reservoir connectivity analysis, and optimize field development strategies in the West Delta Deep Marine (WDDM) concession. The findings provide valuable insights into reservoir heterogeneity and contribute to more effective hydrocarbon exploration and production in the Offshore Nile Delta.